USA > New York > New York City > New York city and vicinity during the war of 1812-15, being a military, civic and financial local history of that period, Vol. I > Part 18
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There was also a grand display of fireworks in the evening. In the rear of the framework erected for the display of fireworks was an allegorical rep- resentation of the United States of America, com- posed of eighteen strong columns linked together by various festoons, displayed the last platoon of the fireworks, emblematic of a nation's gratitude, 100 feet in front, composed of ten monumental pyra . mids each twenty feet high joined together by laurel crowns; the base of each column bore the name of departed heroes. Between each of the pyramids was a large urn on its pedestal, burning with a bright and pure flame, and joined at the summits of the monuments by wreaths of flowers. In the cen- ter was a pedestal on which was an emblematic figure of Strength (the Constitution), from which all the festoons originated. Through the space between the columns was seen a painting of 80 feet front representing an architectural avenue to the Temple of Independence where were presiding the statues
271
VAUXHALL GARDEN.
of Liberty, Mars, Minerva, Justice, and several other gods and goddesses.
The center piece was a large arcade, equally or- namented with the monuments, under which was the Emblem of Immortality, a most elegant piece of mechanical fireworks, in which were noticed Valor, Prudence, Judgment, Victory, Truth, Jus- tice and other gods and goddesses, entwined by a brilliant glory of white fires intersecting and bind ing the whole. The above was supported by a strong solid column, representing the Constitution, on which the whole was consolidated and from which was the American flag surmounting the whole.
The walks, etc., were brilliantly illuminated in the evening and the allegorical design of a nation's gratitude, described above, was illuminated by all kinds of fireworks, wheels, girandoles, gerbs, etc., and brilliantly ornamented with several thousand fire-lights, the whole terminated by the illumina- tion of the words, "Freedom," "Rights of Man," "Success to America," "Huzza ! ! " which appeared over the whole.
There were no sky rockets set off at any place, probably because they were then chiefly used as signals in the military and naval service.
There were no fires reported as occurring on that day, and the populace were remarkably orderly and peaceful, and no harm or disorders arose from ex- cessive use of intoxicating liquors. A remarkable day, truly, was that of the celebration of the 4th of July, 1813.
On July 8th the British midshipman (William Price), who had been mortally wounded at the time
272
AN ENEMY'S FUNERAL.
of the capture of part of the crew of the Eagle by the smack Yankee, on the 4th of July as before narrated, died at the New York Hospital. His fun- eral took place on the morning of the 9th, and the interment was in St. Paul's churchyard. It was accompanied with military honors. The procession from the hospital down Broadway to the church moved in the following order :
Military Escort. The Clergy.
Pall bearers.
Pall bearers.
Mr. Hall, Mr. Bell, Mr. Barron,
Mr. Gales,
Corpse.
Mr. Washburn, Mr. Baldwin. -
Officers of the United States Navy. Officers of the United States Army. Mr. Barclay (son of the commissary for prisoners.)
Between three and four hundred citizens, without distinction of party, followed in procession. Lieut. Morris, who was killed at the time of the capture, was buried at Sandy Hook on the morning of July 5th with military honors.
CHAPTER XV.
Com. Decatur Driven into New London by Com. Hardy-Sketch of Com. Hardy -- Gardiner's Bay and Eastern Part of Long Island in Possession of the Enemy-Torpedo Warfare-Trap- ping the Enemy-Naval Affairs-Com. Hardy's Threats- Joshua Penny Taken by Him-Enemy near the City in Pel- ham Bay-Com. Lewis Drives Them Back-Enemy at Sandy Hook and Rockaway -- Com. Lewis After Them Again,
WHEN Decatur sailed up the Sound and approached the mouth of the Thames, about June 3d, he was met. by the enemy's war vessels, the Valiant, 74 guns, and Acasta, 48. guns, from the blockading squad. ron under Sir Thomas M. Hardy, consisting of his flagship, the Ra- millies, 74 guns, the Orpheus, 38 guns, Capt. Sir Hugh Pigot, the Valiant and Acasta and many smaller vessels and launches. Decatur deemed it prudent to run in New London Harbor. He was pursued by the enemy as far as Gull Island, at which point the British vessels anchored in position to command the mouth of the Thames and thus prevented the escape of Decatur's vessels.
Then commenced a close imprisonment of those vessels at New London, which continued until the peace in Feburary, 1815, excepting the Hornet, which escaped in November, 1814. The port of New London itself was not yet blockaded and merchant vessels still arrived and departed as usual. The British squadron in sight of New London
274
BLOCKADE 'PROCLAIMED.
was soon strengthened and when Hardy assumed command of it in the latter part of June, it consisted of three 74's, the Ramillies, Orpheus, and the Valiant and Acasta, a number of smaller vessels, launches, etc .*
The first written notice of the blockade of the port of New York received here was sent to the Russian vice-consul in the city and published on July 6th. It was as follows :
"HARLEM, 2d July, 1813.
"Sir : Ihave the honor to inform you, His Excel- lency, the Right Honorable Sir John Borlase War- ren, admiral and commander-in-chief of His Britannic Majesty's ships-of-war on the American and West India stations, has in obedience to the orders of His Royal Highness, the Prince Regent, declared by proclamation bearing date, the 26th of
* SIR THOMAS MASTERMAN HARDY was a veteran of many years' service in the Royal Navy in Europe. He and Admiral Sir George Cockburn were messmates while they were mid- shipmen. He was made a commander or captain in 1797 for his bravery in capturing the French brig-of-war La Mutine, near Cadiz. We next find Capt. Hardy accompanying Lord Nelson in pursuit of the French fleet, which had sailed for Egypt in 1798. Lord Nelson soon afterward shifted his flag to the Foudroyant, and placed Hardy as its commander. He subse- quently served in that position in various vessels. In that capacity he was at the battle off Copenhagen, April 2, 1801. In 1803 when Lord Nelson was appointed chief in command of the Mediterranean fleet, Capt. Hardy's vessel, the Victory, of 100 guns, in July was made flagship, and from that time until the death of Lord Nelson, Capt. Hardy was his constant companion. In August, 1805, Lord Nelson sailed in the Victory for the Mediterranean to attack the combined fleets of France and Spain, where, in October, at the battle of Trafalgar Bay, Lord Nelson was fatally wounded early in the battle and died in three hours afterward on board the Victory in the arms of Capt. Hardy, but not until he was assured by Capt. Hardy of a victory over the enemy. Many affecting incidents are related that occurred between Lord Nelson and Capt. Hardy. While the battle was raging, Nelson knew that his death was near, and calling Hardy to his side, and after giving some directions about
275
BLOCKADE PROCLAIMED.
May last, the ports of New York, Charleston, Port Royal, Savannah and the River Mississippi to be in a state of strict and vigorous blockade ; and that the blockade will be enforced by his Majesty's ships-of-war in Long Island Sound, off Sandy Hook and elsewhere.
"I have the honor to be, with great respect,
"Sir, your obedient and humble servant-, " THOMAS BARCLAY. " TO JOHN G. BOGERT, ESQ., Russian Vice-Consul, etc."
He also enclosed a copy of the proclamation of blockade, which was as follows :
"Whereas, His Royal Highness, the Prince Regent, hath caused his pleasure to be signified to the right honorable, the lords, commissioners of the admiralty to direct that I should institute a strict
the fleet, then delivered his last injunctions of a private and personal nature. Among others he said: "Don't throw me over- board, Hardy," but requested that his body be taken home and buried, and when he had taken his faithful follower by the hand to bid him a final farewell, he said faintly : "Kiss me, Hardy." Capt. Hardy stood for a few minutes in silent agony over him he so truly regarded, and then kneeling down again kissed his forehead. " Who is that," said the dying warrior. " It is Hardy, my lord." "God bless you, Hardy," replied Nelson feebly and soon afterward breathed his last. Capt. Hardy con- veyed the body of Nelson on board the Victory to England. On the day of the burial of Lord Nelson's body in St. Paul's Cathedral in London, in January, 1806, Capt. Hardy bore the banner of emblems before the relatives of the deceased in the funeral procession. In the will of Lord Nelson. he bequeathed a small legacy and all his telescopes to Capt. Hardy.
In August, 1814, Capt. Hardy had command of the fleet that bombarded Stonington, Conn., for three days, which consisted of the Ramillies, 74 guns, Pactolus, 44 guns, bomb ship Terror, the brig Dispatch, 22 guns, and numerous barges and launches, with rocketeers.
He had many honorary degrees conferred upon him from time to time by the British government. He was not made a com- modore until 1818. He died in 1839. .
276
BLOCKADE PROCLAIMED.
and rigorous blockade of the ports and harbors of New York, Charleston, Port Royal, Savannah, and of the river Mississippi, in the United States of America, and maintain and enforce the same according to the usages of war in similar cases ; and likewise that the ministers of neutral powers should be duly notified that all measures authorized by the law of nations will be adopted and exercised with respect to all vessels which may attempt to violate the said blockade ;
"I do, therefore, hereby require and direct you to pay the utmost regard and attention to His Royal Highness, the Prince Regent's commands, as before mentioned, and by every means in your power to maintain and enforce the most strict and rigorous blockade of the ports and harbors of New York, Charleston, Port Royal, Savannah, and the river Mississippi, in the United States of America, accordingly.
" Given under my hand, on board His Majesty's ship San Domingo, at Bermuda, the 26th of May, 1813.
"JOHN BORLASE WARREN,
" Admiral of the Blue and commander-in-chief of His Majesty's ships and vessels employed and to be employed on the American and West India stations, etc."
Thomas Barclay, who was formerly British con- sul, and resided at 158 Greenwich Street, New York, in June, 1813, was now the agent for the British government for the exchange of prisoners of war. Some comment was made upon the propriety of his taking this action, and also claiming that his notice extended the blockade to Long Island Sound, while
.
277
BRITISH NAVAL FORCES.
the proclamation enclosed, only included the port of New York, etc. But it was soon acknowledged by Com. Hardy that it only included the port of New York and its entry by way of Long Island Sound, and that none of the ports or places along Long Island or the Connecticut shore were under blockade as to the vessels of neutrals-as for Amer- ican vessels, they were liable to capture at any time and place, as enemy's property.
So long as licensed American and neutral vessels were allowed to export to such places such goods and material as the British license designated and to im- port from such places the goods and materials the British desired and designated, their blockading vessels were mainly for the purpose of enforcing merchant vessels to comply with these regulations, and the armed vessels of the United States were the only vessels toward which any hostility was shown.
At the end of July the British had on our coast and on the passage eighty vessels of war, besides their forces in the West Indies, with 5,000 or 6,000 land troops.
The British navy had a total of 1017 vessels-258 ships-of-the-line (30 from 50 to 74 guns), 240 frigates, 64 sloops-of-war, 13 bomb and fire ships, 191 brigs, 42 cutters, and 65 schooners and luggers .*
The coast lines were so much annoyed by the British marauding vessels, that in March, 1813, Congress passed a law allowing the payment of the value of any English vessel blown up or destroyed in any manner by persons not in the actual ser-
* As to the number of men on each vessel, see ante pp. 81 and 188.
.
278
TORPEDO WARFARE.
vice of the United States .* Thus the whole British blockading squadron on our coast was a subject for private enterprise. The game was too big and tempting to let go withcut many efforts. This at once awakened the inventive genius, as well as daring and cunning, in attempts for the destruc- tion of such vessels. Torpedoes were invented, and arranged by various devices.
The torpedoes in use were those invented by Robert Fulton for blowing up ships. It is true that the United States government declined to purchase his plan for torpedoes, but his system was not con- demned. These torpedoes consisted of a copper case which contained from fifty to one hundred pounds or more of powder. To this was fixed a gun-flint lock in a brass box, water tight, which lock could strike fire by several means. One was by clock- work, which could be set to one or more minutes or hours for striking the fire. Another was for being sunk at a given depth under water and a float, to which was attached a lever or catch near the surface of the water, which when hit by anything would spring the lock and strike fire. Another was by
* The following is a copy of the law :
"AN ACT to encourage the destruction of the armed vessels of war of the enemy.
" Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled-That during the present war with Great Britain it shall be lawful for any person or persons to burn, sink or destroy any British armed vessels of war except vessels coming as cartels or flags of truce ; and for that purpose to use torpedoes, submarine in- struments, or any other destructive machines whatever. And a bounty of one-half the value of the armed vessels so burnt, sunk or destroyed, and also one-half of the value of her guns, cargo, tackle and apparel shall be paid out of the treasury of the United States to such person or persons who shall effect the same otherwise than by the armed or commissioned vessels of the United States. Approved March 3d 1813."
279
TRAPPING THE ENEMY.
hitching one or more torpedoes to the middle of a rope a hundred feet or more ong, and having a row- boat at each end, drag the torpedoes to an enemy's vessel or under it and either spring the gun-lock by clockwork or by contact with the vessel, and thus blow her up. There were many similar contrivances for the same purpose, but none of them were actually used in an attack.
Privateers already had a stimulus for the capture of property and prisoners (ante, p. 121). Those in the regular naval service also had bounties for prisoners (ante, p. 121). When the ships and vessels and goods on board of an enemy's vessel were of equal or superior force to the vessel or vessels making the capture, the prize belonged to the captors, and when of inferior force it was divided equally between the United States and the officers and men making the capture. The law also provided in what proportion each officer and man should share in the prizes. Pensions were given to the heirs of those killed in the ocean service.
These inducements made the enemy's war vessels and property much sought after by the defenders of American rights, and it also made the invaders somewhat alert.
Various tricks and traps were resorted to and laid to destroy British vessels that ventured too near land or in shallow waters.
On the 25th of June, a schooner, called the Eagle, was fitted out by John Scudder, Jr., the originator of the plot to blow up or burn some of the British vessels. He placed ten kegs of powder, about 400 pounds, with a quantity of sulphur mixed with it, in a strong cask, and surrounded it with huge
280
COM. HARDY
stones and other missiles, which, in the event of ex- plosion, might inflict great injury. At the head of the cask, in the inside, were fixed two gun-locks, with cords fastened to their triggers at one end, and two barrels of flour at the other end, so that when the flour should be removed, the locks would be sprung, the powder ignited, and the terrible mine exploded. Thus rigged, she sailed up Long Island Sound for New London ; on the way she was cap- tured, as was expected and desired, and armed men sent out in boats from the British blockading war ship Ramillies, commanded by Commander Hardy. The crew of the Eagle "escaped " to the shore at Millstone Point, and anxiously watched the result of the capture. An attempt was made by the cap- tors to get the Eagle alongside of the Ramillies, for the purpose of transferring her cargo to the vessel, but the wind having fallen, it could not be done, so boats were sent out for the cargo. The hatches of the Eagle were opened, and when the first bar- rel of flour was removed, the explosion took place. A column of fire shot up into the air (the inventor of it said it reached up nine hundred feet) and a shower of pitch and tar fell upon the deck of the Ramillies. The Eagle, a British officer, and ten men, were blown to atoms, and most of those in the boats outside were seriously or fatally injured.
The following is an English account of it.
"On the 25th of June, 1813, a boat was sent from the Ramillies to cut off a schooner which was mak- ing for New London. She was taken possession of about eleven o'clock, the crew having deserted her after letting go her only anchor. The officer of the boat brought the prize near the Ramillies, and in-
281
IN DANGER.
formed Sir Thomas Hardy that she was laden with provisions and naval stores. Very fortunately for the ship he commanded, Sir Thomas ordered the schooner to be taken alongside a trading sloop which had been captured a few days before; for while they were in the act of securing her, about half-past two o'clock, she blew up with a tremendous explosion, and a lieutenant (Geddes) and ten valuable seamen lost their lives. It was afterwards ascertained that this schooner, the Eagle of New York, was fitted out by two merchants of that place, induced by the American government offering half the value of the British ships-of-war so destroyed, for the express purpose of burning the Ramillies, and hearing that that ship was short of provisions and stores, they placed some in the hatchway hoping thereby to in- duce Sir Thomas Hardy to take her alongside. Under the provisions were deposited several casks of gunpowder, with trains leading to a magazine which was fitted upon the same mechanical princi- ples as clockwork. When it had run the time given to it by the winder-up, it gave force to a sort of gun- lock. The explosion of the vessel and the destruc- tion of all that might be near it was the end pro- posed."
Com. Hardy sent a flag to New London to ascer- tain whether the blowing up of the Eagle was done with the sanction of the government, declaring "if it was he would destroy everything American that floats." Com. Hardy also informed the master of a fishing smack that he had lost nine men by the ex- plosion and was determined to destroy all the craft that came in his way until the cause was explained.
Although Commander Hardy did not execute his
282
COM. HARDY'S THREATS.
threats he made the blockade more rigorous than ever, and many trading vessels became prizes to the British cruisers.
A fishing vessel arrived at Salem with the follow- ing endorsement on her papers:
" HIS MAJESTY'S SHIP La Houge, AT SEA, JULY 8, 1813.
"I have warned the fishing boat Sally, of Barn- stable, immediately to proceed to her own coast, in consequence of the depredations committed by the Young Teazer and other American privateers on the British and coasting vessels belonging to Nova Scotia, but more particularly from the inhuman and savage proceedings of causing the American schooner Eagle to be blown up after she had been taken pos- session of by His Majesty's ship Ramillies-an act not to be justified on the most barbarous principles of warfare. I have directed His Britannic Majesty's cruisers on the coast to destroy every description of American vessels they may fall in with, flags of truce only excepted.
"Given under my hand.
" THOMAS B. CAPEL, Capt."
Many attempts to destroy vessels were made at various points along the coast. A citizen of Nor- wich invented a submarine boat in which he could voyage three miles an hour. In this he went under the Ramillies, which was frequently seen near New York, and had nearly completed his task of fixing a torpedo to her bottom when his drill broke, he was discovered and his effort was foiled, but he es- caped.
The many attempts on the Ramillies with torpe-
283
PRISONERS TAKEN.
does and other contrivances kept Com. Hardy con- tinually on the alert. So fearful was he of these mines, that he kept his ship in motion, but accord- ing to Penny, who was a prisoner on the Ramillies for a while, he caused her bottom to be swept with a cable every two hours, night and day, to keep off the "d-d Yankee barnacles." The Ramillies had about six hundred men on board. Com. Hardy, in August, issued a warning to the inhabitants of the coasts that if they did not cease that cruel and un- heard of warfare, he would proceed to destroy their towns and desolate their country.
The taking of Mr. Penny by the British marines and the subsequent correspondence about it was written at that time.
The following letter from Capt. John Fowler, then a prisoner of war on board the Ramillies off New London, dated August 28, 1813, was published, stating the taking of Mr. Penny, etc .:
" The following is a list of vessels trading with the enemy off New London: August 10, the sloop Fame, with newspapers ; the same day the sloop Betsey with stores. On the 21st, a sloop from Sag Harbor came to anchor a little way from the shipping ; the captain came on board and went on shore with an officer and showed the said officer Mr. Penny's house, and told him Mr. Penny was coming off with a tor- pedo to blow up the ship the first opportunity. That night a boat's crew, with the first lieutenant, went on shore and brought Mr. Penny on board with his shirt tore off his back; he was put in irons in a place where he could see no daylight, on a small allowance of bread and water; he asked for a little salt, but it was not allowed him, nor was he allowed
:284
DEMAND FOR RELEASE
a book to read. The above sloop left Sag Harbor on the 20th.
" We were often kept below, sometimes half a day, when their friends brought them supplies, especially the Block Islanders, so that we might not see their faces.
"The Ramillies is going to Halifax, the Valiant, Orpheus and Atalanta, remain on this station. They have no boats, but one launch to each pinnace and cutter ; each launch carries a twelve-pounder; the pinnace and cutter a brace of six-pounders each. Everything that is taken is by the boats. Ten or twelve good barges might take them all.
"This day, August 28th, a sloop from New York with soap and candles and watermelons came to anchor under the stern of the frigate."
Major Case sent a demand for the release of Penny as follows :
" SIR THOMAS HARDY, Commander of H. B. M. squadron off Gardiner's Island :
"Sir :- The inhabitants of the town of East Hampton have requested of me a flag, which I now authorize, for the purpose of demanding Joshua Penny, a natural-born citizen of the township of Southold on this island, and a resident of the town of East Hampton.
" He is demanded as a non-combatant, being at- tached to no vessel as a mariner or corps of military whatever, but was taken by force by your men from his bed in his own house unarmed.
" The bearer of this flag is Lieut. Hedges, an offi- cer under my command, in government service. You will have the goodness to deliver Mr. Penny to
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OF MR. PENNY.
Lieut. Hedges, as he cannot consistently be retained as a prisoner of war by any article in the cartel agreed on, ratified and confirmed by the agents of each of our governments for the exchange of prisoners.
"Given under my hand, at the garrison of Sag Harbor, the 23d day of August, 1813.
" BENJ. CASE,
" Major commanding the troops in United States service at Sag Harbor."
The following reply was given :
" HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S SHIP Ramillies,
IN GARDINER'S BAY, Aug. 24, 1813.
"Sir :- As it was late yesterday afternoon when I had the honor of receiving your letter of the 23d inst., requesting the release of Joshua Penny, I did not judge it proper to detain Lieut. Hedges for my reply.
"I now beg leave to inform you I had received certain information that this man conducted a de- tachment of boats, sent from the United States squadron, under the command of Com. Decatur, now lying in New London, from that port to Gardi- ner's Island on the 26th of July last, for the express purpose of surprising and capturing the captain of H. B. M.'s frigate Orpheus and myself, and having failed in that undertaking, but making prisoners of some officers and men belonging to the Orpheus, he went with the remaining boats to Three Mile Har- bor. The next account I had of him was his being employed in a boat contrived for the purpose, under the command of Thomas Welling, prepared with a
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